Around the Valley features a round-up of interesting stories in and around Fresno County and the Central Valley related to criminal law, criminal defense and/or Fresno County.

Former police detective sentenced to federal prison: A former Fresno police detective will spend two years in federal prison, which prosecutors are calling a “discounted” sentence, for taking a $20,000 bribe from a suspected drug dealer.

Former police detective Derik Carson Kumagai was charged after federal law enforcement officials in 2012 began investigating a group of Fresno-area individuals suspected of growing marijuana and exporting it to other parts of the state and the nation.

In October and November of 2013, Kumagai and co-defendant Saykham Somphoune met with the drug dealer and told him he was part of a federal investigation. The two told the dealer they could close the investigation if he paid a bribe.

On Nov. 6, 2013, Kumagai — who had joined the Fresno Police Department in mid-2000 and at the time was assigned to the vice intelligence unit — accepted the bribe, court documents say. (Source:Fresno Bee)

Kumagai’s sentencing comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding former Fresno Deputy Police Chief Keith Foster, who was arrested earlier this year for federal drug crimes, including conspiracy to distribute and/or possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone, heroin and marijuana. In response to Foster’s arrest, Fresno’s Office of Independent Review offered suggestions in its first quarterly report of 2015 on how to improve oversight within the Fresno Police Department. Learn more about the report: Fresno PD report says police shootings are down (Infographic)

Federal civil claim against Clovis police: A domestic-violence victim took an unusual step Monday by stepping out in public and suing her ex-boyfriend — former Clovis police officer Kyle Pennington — of federal civil rights violations. Besides Pennington, the suit names his parents and the Clovis and Sanger police departments, accusing them in federal court of civil conspiracy, negligence, and denying her right to due process and equal protection under the law. (Source:Fresno Bee)

High school student shot: Police reported that a Fresno High student is being treated for a gunshot wound in the foot after he came to school bleeding Tuesday morning. According to Fresno police,police went to Griffith Way and Warren Avenue, near the major intersection of West and Ashlan avenues, just before 1 a.m. to check a report that shots were fired. They found the 17-year-old victim, shell casings nearby, and that a nearby home had also been struck by bullets. (Source:Fresno Bee)

When you need a lawyer, you deserve the best. Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or drugs is a serious offense with potentially long-term consequences that will affect you and your family.

SEX CRIMES

If you are facing a sex offense charge, you should seek immediate assistance from Fresno sex crime lawyers. At Nuttall Coleman & Coleman, our Fresno sexual assault lawyers and Madera sexual assault lawyers have the experience and legal knowledge you need to establish the best possible defense.

If charged with child pornography in any of its forms, you want to fight hard. Penalties are severe, possible federal changes apply and you could be convicted just for mailing a package for your boss or a friend.

Because arrests and convictions can have a number of negative effects on someone’s current and future quality of life, one of the most important things an attorney can do for a client is handle the disabilities that arise from an arrest or conviction.

Those who have convictions and were put on probation can start on the road to a clean slate if they apply to the court for relief under California Penal Code 1203.4 PC, which is the first step for a pardon from the California governor.

Where sealing and expunging records effectively erase the arrest or conviction, someone may still have their rights restricted because of past criminal run-ins with the law.

The gubernatorial pardon has the effect of restoring many of these rights, including the ability to own a firearm in some cases, to serve on a jury trial, and to be considered for appointment as a county probation officer or state parole agent.

FEDERAL / WHITE COLLAR

Attorneys who take on cases involving federal criminal defense in Fresno need to be skilled in many different aspects of the legal system. Our track record shows definitively that our Fresno federal crime lawyers have the qualifications, expertise and courtroom experience to defend complex cases in a court of law.

There are many crimes that might be covered under the heading of theft, fraud and embezzlement. These include identity theft, employee theft, money laundering, felony theft, forgery, counterfeiting and others. If you’ve been accused, you need an attorney who understands the subtle nuances of each type of crime so they can plan the best defense after reviewing all the evidence.

PERSONAL INJURY

Have you been injured in a car accident, been harmed by a dangerous product, suffered an injury on someone else’s property, or been injured in another way that has negatively affected your lifestyle and finances?